48 min listen
Countrystride #97: Townend – A Troutbeck farming dynasty
FromCountrystride
ratings:
Length:
52 minutes
Released:
Feb 17, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
...in which we descend upon the cloistered valley of Troutbeck to celebrate the 75th birthday of the National Trust farm at Townend, home for 12 generations to the 'yeoman' Browne family. In the company of Collections & House Manager Emma Wright we uncover a trove of farmhouse treasures, including an expansive 'meat loft', the last George Browne's remarkable wood carvings and Elizabeth Birkett's 1699 'commonplace book' of recipes and unlikely ailment cures. Accessing the house's nationally-important library, we paint a picture of a leisured family in pursuit of wealth and influence, and Mark gets enthused by a copy of 'Gate's Shepherds Guide'. Rambling past the farm's expansive bank barn – one of the finest in Westmorland – we learn about the characteristic pattern of 'outgang' lanes that allowed stock to be driven onto the communal Wansfell 'hundreds' before turning our attention to Beatrix Potter and the last days of the Browne dynasty.
You can find out more about Townend at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/townend
You can find out more about Townend at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/townend
Released:
Feb 17, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Countrystride #39: Thirlmere - and the flooding of a valley: …in which we take an autumnal wander along the wooded west shore of Thirlmere, the reservoir that displaced a close-knit pastoral community to fulfil 19th century Manchester’s ever-growing thirst for water. As we walk, we learn from author and on... by Countrystride